Newport council puts off dock-fee vote

Nov. 28, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner address the crowd at the beginning of a special meeting Wednesday night to receive public comment on the issue of residential pier rental rates. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Gail Rosenstein, a dock owner on Lido Isle, expresses concern, during a special Newport Beach council meeting on dock fees, about people renting the space in front of her home to large boats potentially blocking her view. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Newport Beach City Council members Rush Hill, left, and Steven Rosansky look over photos handed over by a boat dock owner on his smartphone during a special meeting Wednesday night on the issue of residential pier rental rates. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Seymour Beek, a boat and dock owner at Balboa Island in Newport Beach, talks about how he was against most of the city proposal to change dock fees, in particular the part changing the fee rate to a per square foot rate, during the public input portion of a special council meeting Wednesday night. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Approximately 160 people fill a Newport Beach City Council chambers, including an overflow area just outside the room, to attend a special meeting on the issue of residential pier rental rates. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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Chet Needelman on Harbor Island in Newport Beach expressed concern that the city would be charging residents for space on the dock that would be unused during a special meeting Wednesday night on the issue of residential pier rental rates. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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The Newport Beach City Council, including Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner, center, uses two podiums to hear public comment on residential pier rental rates during a special meeting Wednesday night. Councilman Edward Selich recused himself and left at the beginning of the meeting. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner address the crowd at the beginning of a special meeting Wednesday night to receive public comment on the issue of residential pier rental rates.STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

NEWPORT BEACH – Council members decided to put off a decision on raising residential dock fees after residents raised a number of issues regarding the proposal and an association of 1,200 dock owners threatened to boycott the city's iconic Christmas boat parade.

Wednesday night's special meeting, the last one to be held in the City Hall at 3300 Newport Blvd., was an emotional one with packed council chambers. Several residents held up printed white signs that read: "Stop the Dock Tax."

The city is proposing to increase public tidelands fees from a flat $100 a year to 52.5 cents a square foot. However, the city is reconsidering other parts of the proposal, including a requirement for owners to indemnify the city. City officials also clarified that residents will not be required to take out a separate liability insurance policy for their docks and that their homeowner's liability insurance policies should also cover the docks.

Almost all the speakers opposed the increases, and several said they will boycott the 104th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, which draws more than a million people from all over the country.

Tom Johnson, a member of the Commodores Club, told residents at the meeting that their decision to boycott the boat parade will not affect the city or the council but small-business owners and other local organizations that hold together the community.

"If you decide to boycott the boat parade, you'll be hurting the restaurant owners, the catering companies that do parties in people's back yards, tour boats on the harbor. I appreciate your concern, but it's misplaced."

Also at issue was whether residents should be allowed to rent out their docks. The council and those who spoke at the meeting were divided on that subject. Proponents said it would help residents on fixed incomes fund the rent increase. Opponents said it might create traffic and parking problems in residential neighborhoods. City Manager Dave Kiff recommended that the council allow residents to rent out their docks but charge dock rent at the higher commercial rate set for small marinas.

Under the proposal, the increases will be phased in over three periods through 2015. Properties on private waterways or county tidelands such as Dover Shores and Linda Isle will not be subject to these fee increases, city officials said.

Bob Koop, a real estate agent, said the rent increases will have a significant effect on property values.

"This is impacting lives," he said. "This is not just another little tax on the wealthy."

Roger Pechuls, a Balboa Island resident, said he finds the rent increases "appalling."

"Where does it stop?" he asked. "Are you going to tax every kayaker, every paddleboarder who uses the water?"

Council members agreed to revisit some pending issues, including insurance and indemnity requirements, and vote on the matter at the Dec. 11 meeting at the new Civic Center.

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